Advanced Studies in Teacher Leadership

[1] Objectives

The Master of Science in Education in Advanced Studies in Teacher Leadership (ASTL) is a cross-disciplinary program designed to prepare candidates to become highly skilled and articulate classroom teachers who serve as leaders in their schools. It is designed to enhance and expand existing knowledge, skills, and dispositions of candidates while fostering the development of competencies expected of advanced educators. The program rests on the assumption that accomplished educators engage in reflective decision-making as they assess and extend their own professional practice. In addition to addressing the eight essential elements of UCA’s Professional Education Unit’s Conceptual Framework, the program incorporates standards and propositions from appropriate national professional organizations including the National Board for Professional Teacher Standards (NBPTS).

Upon completion of the program, ASTL graduates will demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to

Critically analyze their own classroom practices and appropriately respond to their findings.

Articulate the rationale for decisions they make regarding professional practice, classroom instruction, and classroom/school policies and procedures.

Make informed decisions by reflecting on experiences both past and present to improve teaching practices that enhance student learning.

Function as change leaders for the improvement of their schools.

This 30 hour graduate degree program consists of a 15-hour core and a 15-hour emphasis area, selected from the following:

Teacher Leadership

Gifted and Talented

Early Childhood

Elementary Mathematics Specialist

Instructional Facilitator

Writing Pedagogy

Other Content Area

English as a Second Language

Career Orientation

Graduate candidates will complete 10 courses for the degree with the culminating experience being the creation and defense of a professional portfolio.

[2] Admission Requirements

Admission into the University of Central Arkansas Graduate Studies program will be required before enrolling in courses. Candidates must have an undergraduate degree with a 2.7 GPA in undergraduate work for full admission. Candidates are required to have a valid standard educator license. Candidates are to meet all Graduate School Bulletin requirements.

[2.1] Program Completion Requirements

Candidates must successfully complete the following program requirements to earn the Master of Science in Education in Advanced Studies in Teacher Leadership (ASTL):

The ASTL program of study.

The ASTL program key assessments.

The ASTL portfolio process; and

A minimum of two years full-time teaching experience.

[3] Retention Requirements

To be recommended for a degree, candidates must meet the following requirement: Complete all required course work with at least a 3.00 GPA with a maximum of six hours of “C” grades.

[3.1] Continuous Enrollment Requirement

College of Education graduate students are expected to maintain continuous enrollment throughout their program of study until achieving program completion. Specifically, College of Education graduate students are expected to be enrolled in at least two of the three semesters in a given calendar year (Spring, Summer I or II, and Fall). If a student must take a time-out, the student is expected to notify his/her home department. If a student fails to register for more than one semester out of three in a given calendar year, he/she may be ineligible for readmission unless granted by the home department.

ASTL 5302 Teaching in the Middle School
ECSE 6336 Advanced Studies in Guidance and Management of Young Children
ECSE 6338 Advanced Instructional and Assessment Strategies for Young Children
ECSE 6366 Educational Programming For Students With Mild Disabilities
ECSE 6374 Curriculum Rationale for Early Childhood Education

ASTL 5311 Career Orientation
ASTL 5312 Learning Experiences in Career Orientation
ASTL 5325 Application of Computers in Education and Work
ASTL 6310 Integrating Media and Technology into Teaching and Learning
ASTL 6385 Curriculum Development

Candidates may be allowed to transfer a maximum of six graduate credit hours to the program.